The Tiny Home Sanctuary was my first Airbnb, and it certainly didn't start out looking like the sort of investment story people put in a brochure.
I bought it for $35,000 using seller carryback financing. I spent approximately $20,000–$25,000 improving the property, then another $10,000 getting it ready to operate as an Airbnb.
The investment
My approximate purchase plus improvement and Airbnb setup costs were $65,000–$70,000. That figure is not a complete cost basis: it doesn't yet include financing expenses, taxes, holding costs, closing costs or other line items from my actual records.
The business
I held the property around three years. During that time, it brought in roughly $35,000–$45,000 a year in rental earnings, based on my recollection. I'll reconcile those figures against the documentation I prepared for its buyers so the published case study distinguishes gross revenue from actual operating profit.
The listing also earned Airbnb Top 5% of Homes recognition.
The sale
Eventually I sold the property for $180,000. The buyers planned to continue operating it as an Airbnb, so I assembled financial records for them. Those records will allow me to share the complete economics rather than a fantasy return-on-investment percentage.
Why this story matters
This wasn't simply a home that photographed well. It was a real estate purchase, a renovation, a hospitality business and ultimately a property sale. Those are four very different skill sets, and all four matter to the investment outcome.
The detailed financial breakdown will be added when the original transaction and operating statements are available. Until then, the numbers on this page are clearly identified as approximate except for the purchase and sale figures Donna reported.